Ruto: Gachagua deserted duty for two years

President William Ruto has for the first time lifted the lid on his fallout with Rigathi Gachagua, disclosing the estranged former Deputy President deserted duty immediately they assumed office.

In a public confession on Friday, the head of state said his deputy failed to lend a helping hand to his administration for two years, adding that he had been a lonely man at the presidency.

Speaking during the swearing-in of new Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Ruto said his former principal assistant was a no-show when it mattered, especially in articulating government programmes and projects.

The ceremony presided by Chief Justice Martha Koome and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya was conducted at Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

The President said he had been a lonely voice at the presidency, expressing relief that his new deputy would be different.

“I have almost become a lonely voice in the Executive, especially within the presidency, speaking about our programmes and elaborating on our work,” the President said.

Ruto’s administration has been rolling out key projects including affordable housing, universal health care, new university funding model as well as the subsidised fertiliser to boost food security.

All these had been left to him to tell the public. “I need your voice. I need your intellect to help me and members of our Cabinet to profile and articulate the things we are doing,” he said.

“Our manifesto is detailed and transformative, and we are implementing it page by page. We are committed to transforming this great nation, failure is not an option.”

DP Kindiki pledged to support the President and his administration to take Kenya to the next level.

“I want to commit to support and assist you, together with the other colleagues in government, to realise a Kenya that has even greater opportunities, a more inclusive Kenya, a more democratic Kenya, and a more transformed Kenya,” Kindiki said.

“I want to commit to you before this congregation and before the Almighty God and the constitution that I will serve you and provide you with the assistance and support you require to take this country to the next level. I commit, I will be loyal and faithful. I will try the best of my ability to work hard together with the other colleagues to lighten the burden that you carry on your shoulders.”

Ruto’s revelations are viewed as a direct attack on his estranged deputy, who last month also disclosed a very frosty relationship with his boss over the last two years.

Speaking when he was discharged from Karen Hospital where he was admitted at the height of impeachment proceedings at the Senate, Gachagua told journalists he had gone through hell in the hands of Ruto.

Gachagua, accompanied by family members and a host of MPs, alluded to what he termed a tough one year with his former boss.

“For the last one year has been very difficult for me, I am a very persevering man, very enduring,” he said.

“What happened on Thursday (impeachment by Senate) is the culmination of continuous persecution and stress for a year.

“When LOYALTY I look at it, history is repeating itself. President William Ruto wanted to take me the route President Daniel Moi took Kenneth Matiba. He (Moi) pushed Matiba to the point of getting stroke and eventually dying. “I look at what William Ruto is doing to me especially when I am in hospital, crippling me, treating me like an animal – I think he wanted to take me the Matiba route.”

Speaking at KICC, the President also fired at his former deputy accusing him of perpetuating the interests of his Mt Kenya region instead of the national interest.

The “shareholding” remarks were amongst the 11 grounds fronted in the impeachment motion that caused the former DP’s downfall.

While lauding Kindiki as a nationalist who will not serve only one part of the country, Ruto fired a warning to public servants, saying they must all be ready to serve all Kenyans equally.

“We are not here to serve ourselves, our families, our communities or our regions or villages. We are here to serve the Republic of Kenya and the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

“My brother Abraham K, serve the nation without bias or favouritism, so the people of Kenya see that we are united as one country, one people, bound by our constitutional duty.”

Ruto said he had known Kindiki as a dedicated professional whose commitment to excellence had helped the country overcome daunting challenges.

“I am proud to witness the swearing of Professor Abraham Kithure Kindiki as the third Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya under the 2010 Constitution,” he said.

He described the new Deputy President as a tireless public servant on the path of national leadership. Ruto said Kindiki is a patriot whose dedication to cohesion, national unity and inclusivity is beyond reproach.

The President said the people of Kenya require a patriotic public servant and a constitutional champion to support the presidency to deliver to the people on time.

He said the DP’s office needed someone who was experienced enough to understand the importance of engaging all sectors of the economy to drive transformation.

“This moment calls for an individual who takes pride in a job well done and is humble enough to be a loyal servant of the people and who is selfless enough to reach out and mobilise the entirety of government towards delivering for Kenya,” he said.

“I am delighted to affirm that our coalition and, indeed, our nation is blessed with many professionals who meet these criteria, among them Abraham Kithure Kindiki who stands out for his exceptional qualifications, extensive experience and wide-ranging accomplishments. I am honoured that he is available, willing and ready to serve as my deputy."